Self-Immolator (2015) : A Poignant Glimpse into Hong Kong's Struggle for Freedom

 

Self-Immolator in Ten Years (2015)

In the dystopian anthology film "Ten Years" (2015), one segment titled "Self-Immolator" by director Kiwi Chow delves into a chillingly prescient vision of Hong Kong's future. This thought-provoking piece paints a haunting picture of a society grappling with the erosion of its freedoms and the price of resistance.

The story revolves around Au-yeung Kin-fung, a passionate advocate for Hong Kong's independence, who becomes the first to be convicted under the National Security Law. His hunger strike in prison ultimately leads to his tragic demise. Against this backdrop, an unidentified individual commits an act of self-immolation in front of the British Consulate-General, triggering widespread concerns about Hong Kong's uncertain fate beyond 2047.

On June 15, 2019, Mr. Leung Ling-kit displayed his unwavering commitment through a self-immolation act, dressed in a yellow raincoat, clutching a protest banner, and leaping from Times Square. The subsequent day witnessed an unprecedented gathering of "2 Million+1" Hong Kongers, setting a historic record for the largest protest in the city's annals. The phrase "he was pushed by the regime" continues to resonate with Hong Kongers, serving as a stark reminder of the deep-seated corruption within their government. Subsequently, in September, we mourned the loss of Chan Yin-lam, followed by November's tragedy involving Chow Tsz-lok. These events, alongside the discovery of 8,148 bodies and 713 suicide cases over the past three years, stand as testaments to Hong Kong's unyielding resistance against tyranny, awakening the collective consciousness of all Hong Kongers through lives sacrificed.

This awakening heralded a series of reforms initiated by the Chinese Communist Party within Hong Kong's education system. Schools are now mandated to indoctrinate students with the belief that safeguarding national security is their solemn duty and responsibility. Any act of disrespect toward the national anthem, left unaddressed by the school, may prompt them to seek assistance from the police. What was once a nurturing educational environment has morphed into a system akin to brainwashing. Despite verbal affirmations that students are the future of society, in reality, they are treated as mere experimental subjects. Consequently, it's hardly surprising that the majority of government officials opt to send their own children abroad for education.

Should Hong Kong's students continue to be gradually influenced by the Chinese Communist Party's education system, it won't be long before they excel in the art of folding blankets. The issue isn't the mastery of this skill; rather, it lies in the Chinese Liberation Army's readiness to employ batons when confronting the Indian army, resulting in significantly more casualties compared to unarmed Indian troops. Examining the training statistics underscores the vast disparity: while an average American soldier consumes 1,500 rounds of ammunition annually, their Chinese counterparts barely exceed 100 rounds per year—an alarming tenfold difference. Their approach to internal matters is marked by ferocity, yet they often resort to "wolf warrior" diplomacy in external affairs.

After than, Professor Leung Yim-ping from Hubei University faced repercussions for her social media posts commemorating the June 4th incident and voicing support for the anti-extradition bill movement. Consequently, the university revoked her Chinese Communist Party membership, issued a disciplinary warning, stripped her of her role as a graduate supervisor, and suspended her teaching duties. Even expressions of mourning have been curtailed.